The Ruler of This World is the title Jesus used for the devil in the hours around the cross.
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
He has no claim on the Son. He is judged.
The world still feels his grip, but the verdict has already been spoken.
Three times in John, Jesus names this ruler.
- When Greeks sought Him and He spoke of a grain of wheat falling into the earth, He said the hour had come. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.
- In the upper room He said He would not talk much longer, for the ruler of this world was coming, and he had nothing in Him.
- Later He promised the Spirit would convict the world concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
The title does not make Satan a second Creator. It names his present sway over a world that lies in the evil one—the blinding of minds, the love of darkness, the hour given him at Gethsemane and Golgotha.
Jesus does not negotiate with that rule. He is lifted up. The ruler is cast out and judged.
Paul calls him the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air.
The church still wrestles. She does not treat him as sovereign. The world has a ruler who is already sentenced, and a Lord who has overcome the world.
- Jesus gave the devil this title; He also announced his expulsion and his judgment.
- “This world” is the present order in rebellion, not the earth God made and will renew.
- The ruler’s hour at the cross was permission, not final power.
- He has nothing in Christ—no foothold, no guilt, no rightful claim.
- Conviction of judgment is part of the Spirit’s work: the ruler is judged.
- Casting out and drawing all people meet in the lifted-up Son.
- Saints resist a judged enemy, not an equal throne.
- Present Sway – He blinds, accuses, and works in the sons of disobedience.
- Limited Title – Ruler of this world, not Lord of heaven and earth.
- Coming at the Hour – He came against Jesus and found nothing in Him.
- Cast Out – The cross is the crisis of his rule.
- Judged – The Spirit convicts the world because that verdict stands.
- Still Active – The whole world lies in the evil one until the end.
- Overcome – Christ has overcome the world; faith is the victory.
- John 12:31-32 – “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
- John 14:30 – “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.”
- John 16:8, 11 – “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment… concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
- John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- Luke 22:53 – “When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
- Ephesians 2:1-2 – “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”
- 1 John 5:19 – “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
- 1 John 4:4 – “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
- 1 John 2:15-17 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world… And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
- Matthew 4:8-10 – The devil showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; Jesus answered, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
- Luke 4:5-8 – The devil claimed authority over the kingdoms and said it had been delivered to him; Jesus refused the bargain.
- Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
- Hebrews 2:14-15 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
- Revelation 12:9-11 – The great dragon, that ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was thrown down; they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb.
- Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
- John 8:44 – “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth…”
- John 18:36 – “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
He is coming, and he has nothing in Christ.
The Spirit convicts the world concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Do not treat him as a second throne. Do not treat the world as home.
Take heart. Christ has overcome the world.
When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.